[5] The following is the passage in Quintilian to which the poet alludes:--"Ego vero narrationem, at si ullam partem orationis, omni qua potest gratia et venere exorundam."--<i>Quint., "Hist Orat."</i> lib. ix., cap iv. [6] La Fontaine has not ventured altogether to repair the oversight of the ancients, for he has left the origin of fables a doubtful point between heaven and earth, when he says, in a dedication to Madame de Montespan, "The fable is a gift which comes from the immortals; if it were the gift of man, he who gave it us would indeed deserve a temple." [7] The word fabulist was invented by La Fontaine, and has no equivalent either in the Greek or Latin languages. La Motte only ventured to use it under cover of the authority of our poet; and the French Academy, having declined to admit it into the first edition of its Dictionary, which was published after La Fontaine's death, only did so when it had been sanctioned by usage and public admiration. [8] <i>Hor.</i>, "<i>Ars Poet.</i>," v. 150. TO MONSEIGNEUR THE DAUPHIN. I sing the heroes who call Æsop father, Whose history, although deceitful rather, Some truths and useful lessons, too, contains. Everything finds a tongue in these my strains; And what they say is wholesome: now and then My animals I use as texts for men. Illustrious branch of one the gods hold dear, And by the whole world held in love and fear, He who the proudest chiefs at once defies, And counts the days by glorious victories, Others will better tell, and higher soar, To sing your mighty ancestors of yore; But I would please thee in a humbler way, And trace in verse the sketches I essay; Yet if to please thee I do not succeed, At least the fame of trying be my meed. [Illustration: THE GRASSHOPPER AND THE ANT.] FABLE I. THE GRASSHOPPER AND THE ANT. The Grasshopper, so blithe and gay, Sang the summer time away. Pinched and poor the spendthrift grew, When the sour north-easter blew. In her larder not a scrap, Bread to taste, nor drink to lap. To the Ant, her neighbour, she Went to moan her penury, Praying for a loan of wheat, Just to make a loaf to eat, Till the sunshine came again. "All I say is fair and plain, I will pay you every grain, Principal and interest too, Before harvest, I tell you, On my honour--every pound, Ere a single sheaf is bound." The Ant's a very prudent friend, Never much disposed to lend; Virtues great and failings small, This her failing least of all. Quoth she, "How spent you the summer?" "Night and day, to each new comer I sang gaily, by your leave; Singing, singing, morn and eve." "You sang? I see it at a glance. Well, then, now's the time to dance." FABLE II. THE RAVEN AND THE FOX.